With any procedure that requires an incision, scars will be inevitable. The key for any type of surgery is minimizing the appearance of those scars.

So when it comes to a breast lift, where excess skin and tissue are removed to help lift breasts to make them perkier and appear more youthful, scarring needs to be as minimal as possible. Women want to feel confident in their body, and that includes dressing up in elegant gowns, running with the latest fashion trends, or the ever-important swimsuit season. That’s why, when considering surgeons, it’s important to find one who has the ability to reduce the appearance of breast lift scars as much as possible. Dr. Leo Lapuerta, a renowned plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience helping patients in Houston, Pearland, and Katy, Texas, is an expert when it comes to doing everything possible to reduce the appearance of surgical scars. 

As skilled as any surgeon can be, it’s important to stress that there will be some kind of breast lift scars following the procedure. What will your scars look like after a breast lift?

The Size of the Scar Depends on the Surgical Technique

While “breast lift” is the common vernacular used to describe the procedure, there are actually many different types of surgeries that fall under the breast lift label. Therefore, the appearance of your breast lift scars will depend on the type of surgical technique your surgeon chooses. Your surgeon will decide on their surgical approach after a detailed consultation, in which they will inspect your breasts and listen to your goals for the procedure. Below are some of the most popular breast lift surgical techniques, as well as what the breast lift scars will look like for each.

• Crescent Lift

The crescent lift is the surgical technique that will result in the least amount of scarring. This breast lift technique requires only one small incision, made near the top edge of the areola. That means there will only be one small scar following the surgery. However, this surgery is only for women with minimal sagging and is usually performed in conjunction with breast augmentation.

• Anchor Lift

One the other end of the spectrum is the anchor lift, the technique that is favored for women with significant sagging. Since the anchor lift is the most extensive type of breast lift surgery, it will result in the most breast lift scars of any breast lift technique. 

• Donut Lift

The middle ground between a crescent lift and anchor lift, the donut lift has only one incision made during the procedure; however, the incision is bigger, tracing a circle around the areola and will be more noticeable due to its size.

• Lollipop Lift

A lollipop lift is one of the most common types of breast lifts, with your plastic surgeon making two small incisions in each breast to remove any excess tissue and skin. The incisions are made from the bottom of the areola to the crease below the breast as well as around the areola, resulting in a scar that can resemble a lollipop.

• Horizontal Mastopexy

As the name suggests, this surgery only involves horizontal cuts, with the goal being to reduce the appearance of scarring near the areola and in areas that are visible in clothing.  

The Appearance of Breast Lift Scars

Any incisions made during a breast lift will be extremely thin, with the focus being on minimizing scarring. While the incision(s) is thin, the breast lift scars will be very noticeable, with a red, raised appearance. As the wound heals, the scar will fade to pink and eventually turn white, as well as flatten out so it is no longer raised.

If you are curious to see some pictures of breast lift scars, you might want to look at breast lift before and after photos. How long it takes for the scars to fade and flatten out depends on your post-surgery care for the scar. 

The Importance of Post-Surgery Care

The appearance of breast lift scars can change drastically based on your level of post-surgery care. If you are judicious about sunscreen application, you are on the right track to having barely visible scars. Direct sun exposure will make your breast lift scars more visible, so anytime you are outside and your breasts are somewhat exposed, make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen. You also want to massage the scar, helping to reduce discomfort and inflammation while also increasing collagen fibers. Finally, you will likely want to apply some kind of scar gel or ointment. This will help your skin heal and reduce the appearance of breast lift scars. 

Following surgery, your plastic surgeon should make it very clear precisely what your post-surgery care will consist of to minimize scarring. In the future, you may also choose to undergo laser skin resurfacing to further reduce the appearance of the scar.

What Can Make Breast Lift Scars Worse?

There are a few things that can make the appearance of breast lift scars worse: Avoid heavy scrubbing, exfoliation, or scratching of the skin surrounding the scar, especially if the wound is still healing. This can irritate the wound, impeding the normal healing process. You do not want to lift any heavy objects in the first six weeks after surgery to prevent the wound from feeling any stress or strain. As mentioned above, you’ll want to avoid the sun and any potential tanning, as this will make the scar more noticeable. Finally, do not smoke during your recovery, as this can lead to post-surgical complications.

Minimize Breast Lift Scars with an Expert Plastic Surgeon 

While all of the above factors contribute to the appearance of breast lift scars, the bottom line is that your plastic surgeon is responsible for how the scarring looks. An expert plastic surgeon will devise a surgical plan that will give the patient their desired results while minimizing the appearance of any subsequent scarring, strategically choosing their incision points for best results.

That is why it is so important to carefully choose your plastic surgeon, only opting for a doctor with the experience and expertise needed to produce the results you want with barely noticeable breast lift scars. Dr. Lapuerta has completed over 20,000 plastic surgeries, with patients often amazed at the discreet appearance of the resulting scars. If you are interested in a breast lift with the least amount of scarring possible, contact Dr. Lapuerta to request a consultation.